Christmas Markets of Prague, Salzburg, Vienna & Budapest

Day 1: Arrival In Prague

Upon arrival at Prague airport, a driver will meet you and drive you to your centrally located hotel. Following check-in, wrap up warm and head out and begin discovering Prague with the help of your detailed full itinerary. Visit the Old Town Square with highlights including the Astronomical Clock, Tyn Church and a host of beautiful examples of Baroque & Gothic architecture.

During the festive season, the Old Town Square also hosts the main Christmas Market, so spend time wandering around the seasonal stalls, admiring the enormous Christmas Tree or tuck in to some warm mulled wine!

Day 2: Private Walking Tour and Sightseeing Prague

This morning our knowledgeable local guide will meet you at your hotel and take you on a 3 hour private walking tour where you’ll trace the Royal Coronation Route covering highlights such as Charles Bridge, Prague’s Castle and the charming Little Quarter (Mala Strana). In the afternoon you are free to further explore the Prague Castle district and St Vitus Cathedral. Using your detailed itinerary, you can also explore the charming Little Quarter and its festive Christmas Market. Perhaps you’ll find a gift for that someone special here?

Day 3: Prague's Jewish Quarter & New Town

Some of Prague’s earliest residents were Jewish, so today you’ll explore the historic Jewish Quarter, full of rich heritage and sites including the Jewish Cemetery, Spanish Synagogue and the Old-New Synagogue. In the afternoon, use your itinerary and head to the residential area of Vinohrady, where you can admire the prestige and elegance of its grand Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Gothic buildings. You can also explore Prague’s New Town area, including Wenceslas Square, a variety of shops, restaurants and one of the world’s most beautiful art-nouveau buildings – the Municipal House. You’ll also find even more Christmas Markets and festive treats along the way!

Day 4: Bus & Train Journey to Salzburg

Today, you’ll be driven to Prague’s central bus station where you’ll board a coach for the first segment of your journey to Salzburg. In Linz, you’ll switch to the train and enjoy a 70 minute journey with views of the Alps as you make your way to Salzburg. Upon arrival, take a short taxi ride to your centrally located hotel and get ready to explore two of Salzburg’s most famous sites – the Hohensalzburg Castle and its historical and charming Old Town. Here you’ll find plenty of Christmas Markets to explore too!

Day 5: Private Walking Tour of Salzburg & Hellbrunn Palace

Begin your first full day in Salzburg with a 2 half hour private walking tour. Listen to the city’s important and fascinating history, gaze at the sublime architecture and take in the vibrant atmosphere of the city’s markets and grand squares. Of course you will also discover how Salzburg has become synonymous with classical music.

You will see Mozart’s birthplace and hear his story, and see the site of the world’s most famous musical festival, which many visitors will recall from the Sound of Music. In the afternoon use your itinerary to discover some of the main sites in the Neustadt area of Salzburg, including the Mirabell Palace and Gardens, the Linzergasse Street and St Sebastian’s Cemetery.

For those who wish, take a bus using the directions in your itinerary and take a visit to Hellbrunn Palace, where you can explore the famous Christmas Market with all its beautiful stalls selling festive hand crafts and gifts.

Day 6: Train journey to Vienna

Depart this morning for Vienna by taking a short taxi ride to the central station and boarding a train for a scenic two and a half hour journey through the Alps and countryside. Upon arrival, take a taxi to your hotel and take some time to settle in before our local guide meets you for a 2 and a half hour private walking tour of Vienna’s historic Inner City.

Here you’ll see beautiful Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque architecture and famous sights including Mozart’s House, St Stephen’s Cathedral and the Church of St Peter.

Day 7: Imperial Vienna & Ringstrasse

Today you’ll explore the Imperial heart of Vienna. Dominated by the Hofburg Palace, you’ll be able to visit the 500 year old Spanish Riding School which stages equestrian performances by the famous Lipizzaner Stallions. You can also visit the imperial apartments, gaze upon the imperial crown and other treasures, or browse through the imperial silver collection.

In the afternoon explore the Ringstrasse and its numerous sights, including the Natural History and Art History Museums and the Museumquartier. You’ll also be able to visit the world famous Christmas Market, found at the foot of the City Hall.

Thestalls number in the hundreds, and offer traditional handicrafts, Christmas gifts, and all sorts of delicious snacks and drinks. If the cold weather gets to be too much for you, you can get a cup of cider or Glühwein, a sweet wine served steaming hot. It’s the perfect place to get into the Christmas spirit!

Day 8: Schonbrunn Palace & Belvedere Palace

Today you’ll visit the magnificent Baroque palace of Schönbrunn, most famously associated with the Empress Maria Theresa. Explore its beautiful interior, its well-manicured gardens and the site of one of Vienna’s best Christmas Markets. The stalls sell traditional Christmas wares and form a ring around a towering twinkling Christmas tree.

In the afternoon, return to the centre of Vienna and visit the Karlskirche and the Belvedere Palace, two of Europe’s most significant examples of Baroque architecture. The palaces now house works of art, including a permanent exhibition which includes the most famous works of Gustav Klimt, such as “The Kiss”.

For more Christmas Spirit, a stroll around the Spittelberg Quarter with its array of bars and restaurants will be the perfect way to end your time in Vienna. Unlike most Christmas Markets, Spittelberg’s stalls are not located on a large square, but spread out among many small lanes and courtyards, giving it an intimate and cozy feel.

Day 9: Train Journey to Budapest

Take a taxi to the central station in Vienna for your train journey to Budapest this morning. Upon your arrival in Budapest your driver will meet you on the platform and take you to your centrally located hotel. In the afternoon, use your itinerary to visit the Central district of Pest, where you will encounter grand apartment houses, Secession-style architectural gems, and imposing monumental buildings.

Two of the focal points you will see are the neo-classical St. Stephen’s Basilica and the nearby Chain Bridge, which regally spans the Danube. St. Stephen’s Square in Central Pest is also the site of one Budapest’s best Christmas Markets, with an especially good selection of traditional Hungarian food.

Day 10: Private Guided Walking Tour & Sightseeing

This morning a guide will meet you at your hotel and take you to some of Budapest’s top sights, providing the perfect introduction to the city. You'll take in a gorgeous vista of the city from the Fisherman’s Bastion, explore the winding streets of the Castle District, gaze in awe at the striking interior of St. Stephen’s Basilica, travel along the city’s most elegant avenue with the help of Europe’s oldest subway, and more.

In the afternoon, you’re free to spend time exploring the Castle Hill District on the colourful Buda side of the city and or visit the Széchenyi Baths, the largest and the most popular of all the city’s baths.

Day 11: Budapest Sightseeing

Today you can spend at leisure exploring some of the sights we have suggested in your itinerary. Using the detailed directions, you can discover the historical Jewish Quarter with the Great Synagogue and Holocaust Memorial, the bustling Vaci Street and Central Market and Andrássy Avenue, Budapest’s most prominent street and a World Heritage Site since 2002.

The avenue is lined by imposing neo-Renaissance palaces and buildings, including several museums. This includes the superb House of Terror Museum, which focuses on the horrors inflicted by totalitarian regimes in the 20th century.

Day 12: Departure from Budapest

Today you say goodbye to Budapest and journey home. Our driver will collect you from your hotel and take your directly to the airport at your chosen departure time.

Speak to one of our travel consultants if you wish to extend your trip!